Gunstock Mountain Resort Adventure park

"Hanging From the trees!!!!"

Gunstock is a ski and mountain resort located in Guilford New Hampshire nearby Lake Winnipesaukee. In the winter they have great skiing packages. In the summer Gunstock is a festival venue and adventure park. The resort offers camping, mini-golf, kayak, paddle boat, BMX and skate parks, climbing walls, Segway tours, scenic lift rides, an Aerial treetop adventure and soon set to open the longest zip linear tour in the continental United States. This ride will be over 1.5 miles long and will surely be a destination.

On our recent visit we toured the Aerial Treetop adventures. This was by far our children’s favorite activity while we were in the Lakes Region. We had to sign our releases for this adventure and get fitted for our harnesses. You are measured based on your arm length as this is the determinant as to whether you can reach the ropes. My 9 year old twins reached easily. My 6 year old daughter was not tall enough for the adult course, but was able to go on the explorer course where the ropes are shorter.

After an extensive training program on the ground we were on our way. This aerial adventure uses two carabineer clips to keep you safely attached to a rope while you complete the obstacles. The adult course runs degrees of difficulty similar to skiing. You must start out on green and work your way toward black. You have 2 and ½ hours to complete the course, and your must start at the beginning if you come back. In the time we were there the kids and my husband made it through the blue trail and could have continued if the day did not treat us to severe weather- hail, wind  and downpours. My younger daughter completed the explorer course and could have done it again had not the weather interfered. The obstacles on both courses were similar. There were tightropes, rope webs, cylinders to crawl through, and zip lines as examples. Our safety advisor indicated that the youngest child he has witnessed complete the explorer course was 4. However, be certain that you can trust your child to put their safety carabineers on properly. They require attention to detail and not all 4 year olds will have this capability. Additionally adults are not permitted on the explorer line so your child will have to be comfortable without you. Adults are too tall for this line and it is difficult to complete.

I think the kids liked this so much because they were given freedom, decision making and adventurous leeway. Of course we were somewhat nervous about this, but because we completed the training and went on the course with them, everything seemed less daunting. Additionally, we had been on one ropes course before this. It was an open air type of course. This one was more natural. We felt like we were part of the trees. It is definitely a bonus to be in the forest.

The staff here is very focused on safety but also interested in everyone having fun. The guides are energetic and helpful. The fact that they installed an explorer’s course proves their focus on family fun-everyone can enjoy it!!! Additionally because of the severe weather on our day we noticed several families were given rain checks for another day. I am sure they will all be back to complete their adventure.

You must call to make an appointment for all activities and check out the website for height restrictions. The magic number seems to be 48 inches, but again that depends on ‘wingspan’. The aerial treetop adventures are $45.00 for adults and $25.00 for children. This includes equipment and training and seems like a bargain to me.

This review is based on a complimentary tour of the aerial ropes course at Gunstock. I received no other compensation for the tour and the resort did not state any requirements that I express a particular point of view. Boy did we have fun!!!